The World Health Organisation has confirmed what many people had believed for years, namely that the Costa Blanca is one of the healthiest areas of the world in which to live. This isn't surprising to those people who know the region. The Costa Blanca has an excellent year-round climate. The humidity is relatively low, and therefore ideal for sufferers of arthritis and other climatically influenced health problems.

The Costa Blanca area of Spain is one of the wealthiest in the country. Tourism earns considerable returns for the locals and property prices reflect the number of British and other northern Europeans who buy a second home in this tempting area, in particular around Torrevieja. The weather has a lot to do with this. The sun is said to shine 320 days a year. The area is famous for its beaches and golf courses (the Villamartin golf course hosted the 1994 Mediterranean Open) but the region has much more to offer.

The landscape of the Northern Costa Blanca, contrasts significantly with the tourist areas to the South of Alicante, with high peaks and breathtaking mountain views. The deep valley's lined with almond trees, rich soil, green vegetation, orange and lemon groves, olive trees and vineyards. The Jalon valley is a truly beautiful sight particularly in January and February when the almond blossom is in bloom. There are few places in the world where the northern part of a small coastline contrasts more with the south.

Water sports of every kind can be found in most resorts in the Costa Blanca. There are modern Marina's making it a perfect base for yachtsmen and it's only fifty miles or so due East to the magical cruising area of the Balearic Islands.

Of course for some people the Costa Blanca beaches are big attractions, the majority of which are kept wonderfully clean. For example, the Torrevieja area has seven European Union blue flag beaches. These vary from the very active beaches with a full range of water sports, activities & services to secluded rocky and sandy coves. All of the major beaches have first aid posts and most have refreshment areas. Worth a visit are the beaches at Guardamar, Playa la Zenia, Playa Flamenca and Cobo Roig.

For other people the attraction is the beautiful golf courses such as Villamartin, manicured to perfection and situated amongst orange groves and palm trees. The new La Finca course is within a 10 minute drive of Villamartin. There are also another nine courses within 30 minutes including, La Manga, Mosa Trajectum, Alicante, Alenda, Haciena De Alamo, La Marquesa, El Plantio, Bonalba, & Altorreal.

Torrevieja, situated next to the sea in the south of the Costa Blanca region is surrounded by two beautiful and large natural saltwater lagoons which form the well-known "Salterns of Torrevieja" considered the biggest in Europe and second in the world. Torrevieja is famous in Spain for it's many festivals - the biggest festival being the Habaneras festival in August. For forty years, every August, Torrevieja has held its traditional Competition of Habaneras and Polyphony, which now has an international character, since it is one of the greatest cultural celebrations in Europe. Voices from all over the world come together in Torrevieja, and the Habanera sings its way out of the competition precincts, and becomes the folklore of the locals. For a whole week, Torrevieja sways to the rhythm of the Habanera, with its tropical flavour from Cuba. The competition awakes the interest of thousands of people throughout Spain, who experience it each year in Torrevieja. The festival attracts a live and television audience of hundreds of thousands of people.

More Britons than ever are looking to move abroad and Spain is one of the most popular destinations, according to a recent survey undertaken by the Leeds Building Society. Over half of people taking part in the survey said that they had considered emigrating and thirteen per cent said they were looking to make the move in the near future. Many people have chosen to move to the Costa Blanca area of Spain.